Donald Trump acknowledges the crowd after giving an energy speech at the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference on Thursday in North Dakota. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

(Newser)
–
Will Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders really debate? Trump told Jimmy Kimmel Wednesday he was open to the idea, and Sanders is definitely down, but now it looks as if Trump will only follow through on the plan if enough money is raised. "What we'll do is raise maybe for, maybe women's health issues or something, if we can raise $10 million or $15 million for charity, which would be a very appropriate amount," Trump told reporters Thursday when asked about the debate idea, Politico reports. "I understand the television business very well," Trump said, adding that multiple networks have already expressed interest in hosting.

"The problem, biggest problem is that Bernie's not going to win" the Democratic primary, Trump added. Mother Jones notes that by Thursday morning, Trump campaign sources were telling media outlets Trump had only been joking on Wednesday night, but adds that Sanders' campaign manager told MSNBC the two campaigns had touched base about a possible debate. Sanders' campaign manager also told CNN Thursday, "We are ready to debate Donald Trump. We hope he will not chicken out. I think it will be great for America to see these two candidates and the different visions they have for America going forward." But Time notes that it's not likely $10 million could be raised before California's June 7 primary.